Short Week
Hi Everyone,
Well, I finally feel rested (or maybe just caffeinated enough) from my journey to Leeds. I left on Friday afternoon by city bus to get to the airport. I thought I might not get to the airport on time as my bus was late from leaving the city center, but it wouldn't have mattered as my flight out was delayed 45 minutes. That is not a very serious delay, but it caused me to miss the train out of Manchester to Leeds. After catching the next train, I was on my way and arrived about Midnight being greeted by Becky and her mum. It was great to see both of them, but after approximately 8 hours of travel (of which only 45 mins was spent flying), I was ready for bed.
Becky and I lived in Spain during the same 6 month period. Her good friend, Jenny, was studying at school with me and Becky had come along as part of her rest after completing school. I think the Brits have it right. When most finish school, they take some sort of break before heading into the real world. I, on the other hand, started at Johnson Controls during finals week. Not much of a break! But, I digress. Becky and I became really good friends and have been in contact via e-mail and Christmas cards ever since. She provided much needed support in what was, at times, a very trying period. I'm forever indebted to her! Her parents had also visited when we were in Spain. They are truly some of the nicest people you will meet. It was great to be able to see her mum while I was in England as well.
On Saturday Becky and I met her mum for lunch and we walked about the city center. Her mother is too generous and paid for everything throughout the day. I felt bad but she wouldn't want it any other way. I had to really argue with her to at least pay the tip! Our day was spent seeing the town and dodging in and out of pubs and cafes. It was the perfect way to spend a weekend before the worry of finals fast approaches. Leeds was quite nice, but I really enjoyed spending time with Becky and her family. Therefore, I don't have too many pics of the city scape, but I do have lots of pics from a BBQ her mates had (more on that).
Most interesting discovery: Man-sized Kleenex. Yes, we in the States believe in equality for all when it comes to facial tissue. The Brits, on the other hand, are heralding 50 years of manliness in nose blowing. Everyone thought I was quite odd for snapping a picture of a box when we ducked into a drug store, but once I get the photo up, you'll be just as confused as I was. Why the different sizes for men and women? Beck's mum seemed to think it was because British men were manlier, but if David Beckham is your poster boy (poster 'man'?) of masculinity, I think there is a long way to go before that justification will hold much water.
Becky and I went back to her house before we met her mum for dinner. Her flat mates were having a BBQ and we had a couple of drinks before we left for dinner. After dinner, we went to a couple of pubs and then headed back to the house to rejoin the group for a 'proper' American style BBQ. There were hot dogs, chips, and plenty of beer. I had so much fun that I didn't realize that I started on quite a bender. The night ended at about 4 am (still light/dusk-ish? out) after a crazy ball of yarn incident. Once you see the pictures, it will make more sense.
Sunday was spent rehydrating and getting ready for the flight back. I didn't get home until very late, but I enjoyed myself so much that I am very glad that I decided to go. I hadn't seen Becky in about 3 years, so if I hadn't gone, I would surely be kicking myself.
Gyppo update (which I am going to call the Kari Report due to her peaked interest in my obsession as of late): I was gone this weekend but it appears that the Gyppos have multiplied since I had left. Their caravans are arranged strategically, and we're hoping to get up to the 4th floor tomorrow to watch the showdown from a different perspective. I think they are trying to be crafty, but I can't tell. I saw one caravan leaving today, but they seem very reluctant to go. Oh, I also learned that if we see two of the travellers fighting, we're not supposed stop them no matter what because it's better to let them kill one another or else we'll be sued for battery for trying to break up the fight. It's kind of like the messed up tort law which pretty much says it's better to kill someone in an accident then to severely injure them because the damages are less. That's my Irish street cred update!
Slan, T
PS--Short week as I'm off to Dublin on Thursday. I don't know if I'll be taking my computer with me, most likely not. Sorry if the posts are sparse this week.
Well, I finally feel rested (or maybe just caffeinated enough) from my journey to Leeds. I left on Friday afternoon by city bus to get to the airport. I thought I might not get to the airport on time as my bus was late from leaving the city center, but it wouldn't have mattered as my flight out was delayed 45 minutes. That is not a very serious delay, but it caused me to miss the train out of Manchester to Leeds. After catching the next train, I was on my way and arrived about Midnight being greeted by Becky and her mum. It was great to see both of them, but after approximately 8 hours of travel (of which only 45 mins was spent flying), I was ready for bed.
Becky and I lived in Spain during the same 6 month period. Her good friend, Jenny, was studying at school with me and Becky had come along as part of her rest after completing school. I think the Brits have it right. When most finish school, they take some sort of break before heading into the real world. I, on the other hand, started at Johnson Controls during finals week. Not much of a break! But, I digress. Becky and I became really good friends and have been in contact via e-mail and Christmas cards ever since. She provided much needed support in what was, at times, a very trying period. I'm forever indebted to her! Her parents had also visited when we were in Spain. They are truly some of the nicest people you will meet. It was great to be able to see her mum while I was in England as well.
On Saturday Becky and I met her mum for lunch and we walked about the city center. Her mother is too generous and paid for everything throughout the day. I felt bad but she wouldn't want it any other way. I had to really argue with her to at least pay the tip! Our day was spent seeing the town and dodging in and out of pubs and cafes. It was the perfect way to spend a weekend before the worry of finals fast approaches. Leeds was quite nice, but I really enjoyed spending time with Becky and her family. Therefore, I don't have too many pics of the city scape, but I do have lots of pics from a BBQ her mates had (more on that).
Most interesting discovery: Man-sized Kleenex. Yes, we in the States believe in equality for all when it comes to facial tissue. The Brits, on the other hand, are heralding 50 years of manliness in nose blowing. Everyone thought I was quite odd for snapping a picture of a box when we ducked into a drug store, but once I get the photo up, you'll be just as confused as I was. Why the different sizes for men and women? Beck's mum seemed to think it was because British men were manlier, but if David Beckham is your poster boy (poster 'man'?) of masculinity, I think there is a long way to go before that justification will hold much water.
Becky and I went back to her house before we met her mum for dinner. Her flat mates were having a BBQ and we had a couple of drinks before we left for dinner. After dinner, we went to a couple of pubs and then headed back to the house to rejoin the group for a 'proper' American style BBQ. There were hot dogs, chips, and plenty of beer. I had so much fun that I didn't realize that I started on quite a bender. The night ended at about 4 am (still light/dusk-ish? out) after a crazy ball of yarn incident. Once you see the pictures, it will make more sense.
Sunday was spent rehydrating and getting ready for the flight back. I didn't get home until very late, but I enjoyed myself so much that I am very glad that I decided to go. I hadn't seen Becky in about 3 years, so if I hadn't gone, I would surely be kicking myself.
Gyppo update (which I am going to call the Kari Report due to her peaked interest in my obsession as of late): I was gone this weekend but it appears that the Gyppos have multiplied since I had left. Their caravans are arranged strategically, and we're hoping to get up to the 4th floor tomorrow to watch the showdown from a different perspective. I think they are trying to be crafty, but I can't tell. I saw one caravan leaving today, but they seem very reluctant to go. Oh, I also learned that if we see two of the travellers fighting, we're not supposed stop them no matter what because it's better to let them kill one another or else we'll be sued for battery for trying to break up the fight. It's kind of like the messed up tort law which pretty much says it's better to kill someone in an accident then to severely injure them because the damages are less. That's my Irish street cred update!
Slan, T
PS--Short week as I'm off to Dublin on Thursday. I don't know if I'll be taking my computer with me, most likely not. Sorry if the posts are sparse this week.
posted by tomasso at
2:40 PM
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